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Hamfist At DaNang: The FAC Diaries

Submitted by: George Nolly

Category: Books

Part 1 and 2 of the award-winning Hamfist series: Hamfist Over The Trail and Hamfist Down!. Now with a Glossary of Terms!

Hamfist Over The Trail: It’s 1968. Hamilton Hancock is the Distinguished Graduate at his Undergraduate Pilot Training class at Laughlin Air Force Base. He is on the fast track to become a fighter pilot, slated to fly an F-100, F-105 or F-4 in Vietnam. Then, the “needs of the service” intervenes, and he is assigned to fly one of the smallest, slowest aircraft in the Air Force inventory, the O-2A.

Hamilton becomes a Forward Air Controller (FAC) in Vietnam, based at DaNang Air Base, and picks up the nickname “Hamfist”. While Hamfist flies in air combat over the Ho Chi Minh Trail and battles an enemy gunner with a deadly record, on the ground he must also battle his inner fears and personal demons.

When he repeatedly loses friends shortly after reconnecting with them, Hamfist becomes convinced there is a “Hamfist curse”. He becomes a virtual hermit, and tries to avoid interacting with his friends. Then he receives a letter that devastates him.

Just when his personal life reaches its lowest point, Hamfist goes to Tokyo on R&R and meets his soul mate. They had lost an opportunity to meet six years earlier, and now Fate has given them another chance. Hamfist returns from R&R with a renewed sense of optimism.

His life is taking a turn for the better. But first he must make it through his Vietnam duty unscathed.

Hamfist Down!: It’s August, 1969. Hamilton “Hamfist” Hancock has been shot down over Laos, and must use all his skill, and luck, to avoid capture and certain, violent death. To facilitate his rescue, he must become a ground FAC and direct airstrikes against North Vietnamese targets on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. And, to survive, he must engage in hand-to-hand combat.

But Hamfist may face his greatest battle after his rescue. Back in Vietnam, while recuperating at the hospital at Cam Ranh Bay, he experiences a sapper attack. And, following his return to the air, Hamfist is tormented by a flying error, an error which may have cost a comrade his life.

Only time will tell if Hamfist can regain his self-respect and passion. On his final flight, Hamfist faces a brutal enemy in a life-or-death duel that will determine if he will be shot down once again or return home to his soul-mate. The rescue, the airborne mistake and the final battle force Hamfist to reevaluate his priorities in his career, in his flying, and in his life.

This book is available in Kindle and printed format at Amazon and in all other electronic formats at Smashwords.

About the author:

George Nolly served as a pilot in the United States Air Force, flying 315 combat missions on two successive tours of duty in Vietnam, winning 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses and 24 Air Medals, flying O-2A and F-4 aircraft. After retiring from United Airlines, he earned a Doctorate in Homeland Security, and now flight instructs in the B777 and B787.